November Novy News: Chicago Homes, Gratitude & a Clearer Plan

Watch November Novy News

A little gratitude, a Lincoln Square market check-in, and the holiday home test—in 2 minutes 16 seconds.

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Authorized AI-generated Joshua likeness and voice. Chicago and home visuals are illustrative, not footage of specific properties.

A note from Joshua

November has a way of making us notice what home does for us: a place to put down the bags, gather around a table, and let the day settle. And, in Chicago, somewhere to argue about whether it is finally time to turn up the heat.

This month, I want to say thank you. For trusting me with your questions, introducing me to people you care about, reading these notes, and following along as Novy Knows Chicago grows. A referral is a personal vote of confidence. I never take that lightly.

Whether your next move is close or still a “maybe someday,” I want this newsletter to leave you with something useful—and a little more connection to the neighborhoods we call home.

The Lincoln Square check-in

Here is our starting point heading into November, from the October 30 morning MLS snapshot:

The eight closings included seven condos and one two-to-four-unit building. That mix matters: it is too small and varied a group to declare where neighborhood prices are heading.

A completed-month comparison: September 2026 recorded 18 attached-home closings at an average sale price of $381,461 in Lincoln Square (MRED/connectMLS Area 8004, Closed Attached Single, September 1–30; retrieved October 30). That is an average for one property category and month, not a price tag for your home.

My take: a neighborhood number helps start the conversation. The useful comparison is the home type, layout, condition, parking, building finances, and full monthly cost.

Buying? Let’s compare what you can comfortably own, beyond what catches your eye. Selling? Let’s look at the homes buyers will compare yours with and build a realistic preparation plan.

Read the October 30 Weekend Update →

Source: MRED/connectMLS, Area 8004 (CHI–Lincoln Square), October 30, 2026 morning. Sales and rentals counted separately; closings dated October 23–29. This is a dated snapshot, not a November monthly report. Availability changes.

A home that works when everyone comes over

A room can look spacious online and feel very different once there are coats, groceries, pets, and a few extra people in it. Before your next tour, try this little holiday test:

• The arrival: where do wet shoes, coats, and bags actually go?
• The gathering: can people move around the table without rearranging the whole room?
• The ordinary Tuesday: does the layout still work when the guests leave?

You do not need a bigger home for every occasion. You need a home that fits the life you actually live. And yes, we should measure the couch before it meets the stairs.

One small project you will thank yourself for

Create a home folder—digital, paper, or both—for appliance manuals, warranties, repair receipts, and contractor information. Add a date and a short description each time work is done.

It makes the next repair easier to handle and gives you a useful history when it is time to sell. If you own a condo, keep association notices and building-project updates together, too.

Thankful for the neighborhood

The best part of knowing a neighborhood is having your own list: the coffee stop, the shop where you find a thoughtful gift, or the block you take the long way home to walk.

As holiday shopping gets closer, I would love to hear about a Lincoln Square or Ravenswood business you think more people should know. Reply with its name and what you love about it. I’m always looking for another local story worth sharing.

A little help for your next chapter

Our animated First-Home Survival Guide follows two buyers, two cats, and a growing list of questions. The goal is simple: make the process easier to understand, with a little room to laugh along the way.

You can find neighborhood stories and the weekly NKC Weekend Update at Novy Notes.

What is on your mind?

A move next spring? A condo question? Wondering what your current place might be worth? Reply and tell me where you are in the process. We can start there.

Thank you for being part of Novy Knows Chicago. Wishing you a warm November and a Thanksgiving with plenty to be grateful for.

Joshua
Joshua Novy · TeleQuest Realty
773.454.5595 · joshua@novyknows.com